Sonoma abounds with regional parks

Considering how big the state park system is here in California, it’s no wonder that our state parks usually get all the headlines (lately, of course, the news has been about

Doran Beach has a 2 mile stretch of sand perfect for a picnic, flying a kite or building a sand castle. Photo by Robert Janover.

funding, and it’s been bad).

Wonderfully, though, we in Sonoma County are blessed with a resource that’s just as beautiful and just as cheap (or even free): More than 40 regional parks.

These open spaces vary in size from a few dozen acres to a few thousand. They are situated just about everywhere across the county, from down in Petaluma all the way up to Cloverdale, the Napa County line out to Bodega Bay.

Here are our three favorites (in no particular order):

Riverfront Regional Park, Windsor

Formerly a gravel quarry site, this park sits on Eastside Road along the banks of the Russian River and is equidistant between Healdsburg and Windsor. The park comprises two lakes, redwood grove picnic areas and more than two miles of trails. Visitors can use electric boats (no gas engines) to fish for bass and other species in the lakes.  From the trail, there’s great wildlife viewing and birdwatching—in summer, you might even spot a bald eagle or two. Parking is $6 per day.

Crane Creek Regional Park, Rohnert Park

This 128-acre park features rolling grassland meadows and a seasonal creek in the Sonoma Valley foothills east of Sonoma State University. The park’s open space is bordered by stands of California Buckeye, White Alder, Black Oak and Maple. The park offers outstanding vistas of Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa. Trails are available for hiking, bicycle riding and horseback riding. There are picnic tables and restroom facilities at the trailhead, and more picnic tables throughout. Parking is $6 per day.

Doran Regional Park, Bodega Bay

Just past Bodega Harbor Golf Course, this is one of Sonoma’s only beachfront regional parks. The open space comprises a 2-mile stretch of sandy beach and is a popular place for visitors to picnic, build sand castles, fly kites, surf, fish and stroll. A rock jetty at the harbor mouth provides access for fishing, crabbing and exploring sea life. The boat launch can accommodate up to 20-foot boats. A parking lot is located adjacent to the launch and can handle 30 vehicles with trailers. Parking is $6 per day.

For a map of all the regional parks in Sonoma County, visit http://www.sonoma-county.org/parks/ParkMap.htm.